The Use of Natural Products and Supplements in Late-Life Mood and Cognitive Disorders

Abstract

Natural products and supplements are widely and increasingly used by the aging population for mood and cognitive symptoms. Evidence suggests that some supplements may be effective at treating a range of mood and cognitive symptoms. There is growing use of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of mental disorders because they may be seen as "safer" than traditional drugs, and because patients with mental disorders frequently use complementary and alternative medicine. We review the existing limited evidence of the efficacy and safety of natural products and supplements that are being used for treatment of mental disorders. More rigorous studies in the area of holistic and integrative treatment and preventive approaches for late-life mood and cognitive disorders are urgently needed.

Natural Products and Supplements for Geriatric Depression and Cognitive Disorders: An Evaluation of the Research

“…21 Most of the studies utilized SJW 300 mg three times daily although dosages ranged from 600 mg–1800 mg daily. 78 Therefore, there is a strong evidence basis for SJW in treating the general adult population suffering from mild-to-moderate depression.…”

“…78 There have been several reviews regarding the efficacy of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for mood disorders in the general adult population 80 , mood and cognitive disorders in the geriatric population 78,81 and cognitive disorders 82 . This article will review studies of natural products and supplements for geriatric depression and cognitive disorders in order to facilitate better patient education and safety.…”

Above the Sea of Fog: Dietary and Lifestyle Interventions for the Treatment of Depression

“…Nutraceuticals in the context have been reviewed in (32,(55)(56)(57)(58)(59)(60)(61)(62)(63). Several nutritional deficiencies may exist in the depressed patient (64), which, if addressed, may positively influence the prognosis of depression.…”